Latest news with #McCullum
NDTV
29-05-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
"If England Lose Against India...": In Massive Warning, Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma Mentioned By Great
Former right-arm quick Darren Gough mapped out the rewards and repercussions of the results England produces against the two modern-day giants, India and Australia, in the upcoming high-stakes series this year. England embarked on a jam-packed summer Test schedule by conjuring a commanding victory by an innings and 45 runs against Zimbabwe in a one-off Test at Trent Bridge last week. The Three Lions will engage in three ODIs and as many T20Is against the West Indies before shifting their focus to the five high-stakes Tests against India, scheduled for June 20 at Headingley. With India bereft of its batting bigwigs Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who announced their retirements more than a month before the series opener, Gough sees England as "favourites". "We should win the ODIs against the West Indies. But then there is the India series. That is going to be the test of the England side. India are missing Sharma and Kohli, so England will be the favourites," Gough told Sky Sports. Since Brendon McCullum sat at the helm of England's red-ball head coach, the Ben Stokes -led side introduced and established the brand of 'Bazball' in the Test format. The electrifying style of approaching the format, instead of relying on the pre-established norms, has brewed mixed results for the English side. Under McCullum's watch, England hasn't qualified or posed a challenge for the World Test Championship mace in the last two cycles. With the Ashes in view, Gough believes McCullum and co. will face major questions about their past deeds if they flounder against India and Australia. "If England beats India and Australia, then you could actually say this team is the best in the world. If England loses against India and Australia, you could say that it has been all about in the last three or four years. There is a lot of pressure on this England team to perform," he added. Listen to the latest songs, only on
India Gazette
29-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Gough picks under
London [UK], May 29 (ANI): Former right-arm quick Darren Gough mapped out the rewards and repercussions of the results England produces against the two modern-day giants, India and Australia, in the upcoming high-stakes series this year. England embarked on a jam-packed summer Test schedule by conjuring a commanding victory by an innings and 45 runs against Zimbabwe in a one-off Test at Trent Bridge last week. The Three Lions will engage in three ODIs and as many T20Is against the West Indies before shifting their focus to the five high-stakes Tests against India, scheduled for June 20 at Headingley. With India bereft of its batting bigwigs Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who announced their retirements more than a month before the series opener, Gough sees England as 'favourites'. 'We should win the ODIs against the West Indies. But then there is the India series. That is going to be the test of the England side. India are missing Sharma and Kohli, so England will be the favourites,' Gough told Sky Sports. Since Brendon McCullum sat at the helm of England's red-ball head coach, the Ben Stokes-led side introduced and established the brand of 'Bazball' in the Test format. The electrifying style of approaching the format, instead of relying on the pre-established norms, has brewed mixed results for the English side. Under McCullum's watch, England hasn't qualified or posed a challenge for the World Test Championship mace in the last two cycles. With the Ashes in view, Gough believes McCullum and co. will face major questions about their past deeds if they flounder against India and Australia. 'If England beats India and Australia, then you could actually say this team is the best in the world. If England loses against India and Australia, you could say that it has been all about in the last three or four years. There is a lot of pressure on this England team to perform,' he added. (ANI)
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
England looking to bring ‘fun and energy' for ODIs with West Indies
A day before the first one-day international against West Indies, England's players were up and about early on the Colts Ground opposite Aldi. Harry Brook starts as their new permanent white-ball captain in this sold-out day-nighter, a game in which eighth host ninth in the middle aisle of the men's ODI rankings. Those rankings sometimes elicit a shrug among the major nations but neither side is one at present. South Africa and Zimbabwe are hosts of the 14-team World Cup in 2027, after which the next eight spots are booked via the International Cricket Council ladder in March that year. West Indies know all about the perils of the qualifying tournament for the other countries, with the original world champions – winners in 1975 – missing out on the 2023 edition in India. Advertisement Related: Pope determined to prove he warrants England place and Stokes' defence Even with the 50-over format on the retreat globally there is a fair bit of cricket to go before then and England could simply do with a series win to start Brook's captaincy. The role came up after a winter of discontent that led to Jos Buttler falling on his sword: in six ODIs this year they have mustered six defeats, with those against Australia, Afghanistan and South Africa in Pakistan leading to them ending the Champions Trophy at the bottom of the heap. 'We are going to bring a lot of energy, competitiveness and fun out there,' Brook said, setting out the vision he and the head coach, Brendon McCullum, have for this new phase. 'We want to try and put opposition bowlers under pressure from their best balls. I feel when I'm batting my best, I do that quite often.' Brook cited Ben Stokes as his leadership muse and in time he could well be his successor as Test captain. The Yorkshireman also put the struggles that followed Buttler's T20 World Cup win in 2022 down to never having his full-strength side for bilateral series, something that he and McCullum are looking to change. Advertisement Buttler was actually absent from the optional training on Wednesday, less to give Brook some space and more because he has only just returned from the Indian Premier League. West Indies did not quite have England's financial muscle to withdraw their players after Operation Sindoor – India's recent missile strikes on Pakistan – pushed back the end of the IPL. Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd were in their original squad but are now staying in India to complete the tournament. The new-look England do not actually feature any new faces, rather some of the recent faces playing in new positions. Brydon Carse returns to give the attack some snarl after a recent toe injury, while the statement move, if it can be called that, is to promote Jamie Smith to open alongside Ben Duckett – a plan that McCullum first floated in Pakistan when Smith was parachuted into No 3 and made scores of 15, nine and nought. '[McCullum] just had this burning desire that Smudge could be an amazing opening batter in one-day cricket' said Brook, confirming that Buttler would be taking the wicketkeeping gloves. Smith has been promised a long run to make the position his own, with McCullum believing he has the game to ransack the power-play. Another being backed for a 'quite a while' is Jacob Bethell, who has not played for England since a hamstring injury back in February but is another returned from the IPL. Unlike the Test team, there is no ambiguity about the 21-year-old coming straight back in and this means operating as one of two spin bowling all-rounders alongside Will Jacks. Advertisement Bethell was late on parade in the morning and looked no older than some of the net bowlers England had roped in from the local leagues. But chatter about what this left-hander might achieve has been following him since his days growing up in Barbados; chatter that Shai Hope, the West Indies Indies captain, was happy to contribute towards. Related: Roland Butcher: 'West Indies are struggling – we've not hit rock bottom yet' 'I first saw him at under-15s on the Police Ground in Weymouth,' said Hope, whose West Indies side are fresh from a 1-1 series draw in Ireland. 'Seeing what he's done over the last couple of months, internationally, franchise cricket as well, he's certainly a formidable talent; one of those players who can go a very long way in their career. 'Every time I play against him, every time I see him, yes, he's not necessarily full-on Bajan [these days], but it's great to be around him, it gives me a sense of home. I'm happy for him, seeing the success he's had … but we are enemies this time.' Advertisement There was a twinkle in Hope's eye here. This is the friendliest of rivalries even if Bethell turning out for England – as part of the English IPL contingent who have returned in time – underlines how the playing field is not exactly level. England (confirmed): Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood. West Indies (possible): Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (wk & c), Amir Jangoo, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Matthew Forde, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales.
First Post
25-05-2025
- Sport
- First Post
ENG V ZIM: McCullum Demands Humility Before Series V India First Sports With Rupha Ramani
ENG V ZIM: McCullum Demands Humility Before Series V India | First Sports With Rupha Ramani | N18G ENG V ZIM: McCullum Demands Humility Before Series V India | First Sports With Rupha Ramani | N18G England's men's cricket team begin a critical rebuilding phase as they take on Zimbabwe in what is seen as a litmus test before the all-important West Indies series and India's Test tour. The 2019 World Cup winners will begin a new era under young captain Harry Brook. Despite boasting talents like Ben Stokes, Joe Root, and Jos Buttler, England have endured a dismal year across formats, losing 24 of their last 48 matches. From Champions Trophy exits to T20 humiliation in India, questions are being raised not just about performance, but attitude. In a fiery press conference, head coach Brendon McCullum called for humility and a reality check within the team. Rupha Ramani explores whether the under-fire English setup will rediscover their identity and reconnect with fans? Or is this just the beginning of more turbulence? See More
Express Tribune
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Duckett sparkles with century as Eng punish Zim
England's Ben Duckett acknowledges crowd cheers as he walks back to the pavilion having lost his wicket for 140 on the first day of the four-day Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge. PHOTO: AFP England opener Ben Duckett scored a rapid century on his home ground as he punished Zimbabwe's tame seam attack to help his side to 295 for one at tea on the opening day of the one-off four-day test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Thursday. Duckett smashed 140 from 134 balls before he was caught at cover by Ben Curran off the bowling of Wessly Madhevere, having put on an opening stand of 231 with Zak Crawley in 41.3 overs. Crawley, who has been short of test runs in recent times, will resume after tea on 93 from 139 balls, along with Ollie Pope, who has 49 from 46 deliveries. Zimbabwe's military medium pace, coupled with an inability to create pressure through a consistent line and length, allowed England's batters to make hay as the sun peaked out from behind overcast clouds in the afternoon. Left-hander Duckett reached his century from exactly 100 balls with 15 fours as he drove and cut the wayward visiting attack. He added two sixes before he was out to another innocuous delivery, rocking onto the back foot and slapping the short ball to a grateful Curran. There would be no let-up for the visitors when Pope came to the crease as he raced along at more than a run a ball. Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine won the toss and put England into bat, hoping the cloudy and cold morning conditions would force an early breakthrough. England handed a debut to seamer Sam Cook as well as a return to the test arena, after a two-year injury-enforced absence, for fellow fast bowler Josh Tongue. McCullum wants Eng to show a bit more humility England head coach Brendon McCullum said his players must try to show a bit more humility and remember that they are still being judged by how they act away from the cricket field. McCullum and captain Ben Stokes have championed England's results-oriented approach built primarily on their take-no-prisoners batting style. While the aggressive brand of cricket won them 11 of the first 12 matches under the leadership pairing, its effectiveness waned and they lost test series in India and Pakistan last year. In March, England Director of Cricket Rob Key said players needed to "stop talking rubbish" after some made casual comments about not caring about outcomes. "It's not just about what you do on the cricket field," McCullum said ahead of their one-off test against Zimbabwe at Nottingham beginningon Thursday. "It's how you carry yourself. It's how you interact with the public. It's the messaging that you give." The New Zealander added that he would wanted the players "show some humility and not feel out of touch with the general population".
